3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

We will disassemble, inspect, diagnose, reverse engineer, repair (if needed) and test the subsystems of the first modern tractor, the iconic Ford N series (9N, 2N or 8N). The systems include power, cooling, electrical, ignition, hydraulic, transmission, steering, fuel, control (governor) and braking. The course is not about tractor repair, but upon successful completion, you will know the tractor’s design and function, inside and out and you will be empowered with the confidence to understand and diagnose mechanical systems. Lessons learned will be applicable to other areas of mechanical engineering and will be particularly helpful for Senior Design. We will analyze (reverse engineer) the tractor. For example, given the engine delivers 28 HP at the PTO, how big does the PTO shaft need to be? How big is it? Over/under designed? How was it manufactured? How else could it have been manufactured. What size engine delivers 28 Hp? What fuel consumption is needed? What cooling capacity is needed? Answering such questions will prepare students to ask appropriate questions in senior design. How big/strong do we need to make it? We will also have a functioning N-series tractor that will be ‘sabotaged’ each week for students to test their logic skills at diagnosing the cause of the malfunction. Course goals include developing diagnostic skills, learning to read electrical and hydraulic schematics and assembly drawings, developing engineering intuition and applying theoretical knowledge to practical problems. No mechanical experience is needed. Students with the least ‘hands on’ background will have the most to benefit, but even BAJA members have much to gain.